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Secret service launches security review after White House intrusions Secret service launches security review after White House intrusions
(about 2 hours later)
The US secret service has launched a security review after a man carrying a knife jumped a fence and managed to get inside the White House.The US secret service has launched a security review after a man carrying a knife jumped a fence and managed to get inside the White House.
The review was ordered after Omar Gonzalez, a 42 year-old Iraq war veteran, scaled a gate and ran inside the North Portico doors of the White House on Friday, causing an evacuation of the building.The review was ordered after Omar Gonzalez, a 42 year-old Iraq war veteran, scaled a gate and ran inside the North Portico doors of the White House on Friday, causing an evacuation of the building.
On Sunday, the army confirmed that Gonzalez was a veteran who had retired due to disability after serving from 1997 to 2003, when he was discharged, and from 2005 to 2012. After his arrest Gonzalez was taken for evaluation in the psychiatric ward at George Washington University Hospital. He reportedly told agents he was very concerned the “atmosphere was collapsing” and needed to tell the president.
On Saturday another man was arrested after trying to force his way into the White House. Kevin Carr, 19, of Shamong, New Jersey, tried to enter on foot and was rebuffed. He was arrested when he returned in his car and refused to leave.On Saturday another man was arrested after trying to force his way into the White House. Kevin Carr, 19, of Shamong, New Jersey, tried to enter on foot and was rebuffed. He was arrested when he returned in his car and refused to leave.
President Barack Obama and his family were not in residence at the time of either incident.President Barack Obama and his family were not in residence at the time of either incident.
Leading Republicans voiced criticism of the two incidents. On Sunday the New York representative Peter King, a member of the House homeland security committee, said it was astonishing that at a time of heightened worries about terrorist attacks, “someone could actually get into the White House without being stopped”.Leading Republicans voiced criticism of the two incidents. On Sunday the New York representative Peter King, a member of the House homeland security committee, said it was astonishing that at a time of heightened worries about terrorist attacks, “someone could actually get into the White House without being stopped”.
King, who was speaking to Fox News, added: “This demands a full investigation, an investigation as to what happened, why it happened and what’s being done to make sure it never happens again.” King said he hoped congressional hearings would be convened.King, who was speaking to Fox News, added: “This demands a full investigation, an investigation as to what happened, why it happened and what’s being done to make sure it never happens again.” King said he hoped congressional hearings would be convened.
On Saturday Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the House oversight and government reform subcommittee on national security, called the incident “totally unacceptable”.On Saturday Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the House oversight and government reform subcommittee on national security, called the incident “totally unacceptable”.
“Unfortunately, they are failing to do their job,” said Chaffetz, from Utah, about the secret service. “These are good men and women, but the secret service leadership has a lot of questions to answer. Was the door open?”“Unfortunately, they are failing to do their job,” said Chaffetz, from Utah, about the secret service. “These are good men and women, but the secret service leadership has a lot of questions to answer. Was the door open?”
Gonzalez’s attempted break in was potentially one of the most serious the White House has suffered. It is extremely rare for an intruder to get so close and the incident has triggered renewed criticism of the secret service, which has suffered a series of scandals in recent years.Gonzalez’s attempted break in was potentially one of the most serious the White House has suffered. It is extremely rare for an intruder to get so close and the incident has triggered renewed criticism of the secret service, which has suffered a series of scandals in recent years.
Gonzalez climbed over the north fence line along Pennsylvania Avenue, toward the eastern side of the house’s circular driveway, at 7.20pm on Friday. The Obamas had left moments earlier, for Camp David.Gonzalez climbed over the north fence line along Pennsylvania Avenue, toward the eastern side of the house’s circular driveway, at 7.20pm on Friday. The Obamas had left moments earlier, for Camp David.
The breach set off security alarms but Gonzalez outran pursuing officers, ignoring their commands that he stop, and entered the North Portico doors. He appeared to be unarmed, but on Saturday it emerged that he was carrying a folding knife with a three-and-a-half-inch serrated blade.The breach set off security alarms but Gonzalez outran pursuing officers, ignoring their commands that he stop, and entered the North Portico doors. He appeared to be unarmed, but on Saturday it emerged that he was carrying a folding knife with a three-and-a-half-inch serrated blade.
Gonzalez was charged with unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds while carrying a “deadly or dangerous weapon”, according to an affidavit released by the US attorney’s office and signed by a secret service officer who was on duty when the incident occurred. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.Gonzalez was charged with unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds while carrying a “deadly or dangerous weapon”, according to an affidavit released by the US attorney’s office and signed by a secret service officer who was on duty when the incident occurred. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
The service’s canine teams are trained to take down intruders before they reach the White House; in this case the dogs were not deployed.The service’s canine teams are trained to take down intruders before they reach the White House; in this case the dogs were not deployed.
It is not unusual for people to climb the White House’s fences but they are usually arrested moments later. On 11 September a man wearing a Pokemon shirt and hat, and carrying a doll of Pikachu, a Pokemon character, jumped the fence and was arrested at gunpoint.It is not unusual for people to climb the White House’s fences but they are usually arrested moments later. On 11 September a man wearing a Pokemon shirt and hat, and carrying a doll of Pikachu, a Pokemon character, jumped the fence and was arrested at gunpoint.
In a statement, the secret service said: “Every day the secret service is challenged to ensure security at the White House complex while still allowing public accessibility to a national historical site.In a statement, the secret service said: “Every day the secret service is challenged to ensure security at the White House complex while still allowing public accessibility to a national historical site.
“Although [on Friday] night the officers showed tremendous restraint and discipline in dealing with this subject, the location of Gonzalez’s arrest is not acceptable.”“Although [on Friday] night the officers showed tremendous restraint and discipline in dealing with this subject, the location of Gonzalez’s arrest is not acceptable.”
On Saturday, the White House said in a statement “the president has full confidence in the secret service and is grateful to the men and women who day in and day out protect himself, his family and the White House”.On Saturday, the White House said in a statement “the president has full confidence in the secret service and is grateful to the men and women who day in and day out protect himself, his family and the White House”.
After his arrest Gonzalez was taken for evaluation in the psychiatric ward at George Washington University Hospital. He reportedly told agents he was very concerned the “atmosphere was collapsing” and needed to tell the president.
The secret service has been hit by a series of scandals in recents years. In 2012, agents were caught up in a prostitution scandal in Cartagena, Colombia during preparations for a visit by Obama. The next year, two more officers were removed from the president’s detail amid allegations of sexual misconduct.The secret service has been hit by a series of scandals in recents years. In 2012, agents were caught up in a prostitution scandal in Cartagena, Colombia during preparations for a visit by Obama. The next year, two more officers were removed from the president’s detail amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
In March, three agents tasked with guarding Obama were sent home from the Netherlands for “disciplinary reasons” – one was found passed out drunk in the hallway of an Amsterdam hotel.In March, three agents tasked with guarding Obama were sent home from the Netherlands for “disciplinary reasons” – one was found passed out drunk in the hallway of an Amsterdam hotel.